I have joined Emily’s* 30 Day Challenge:

I’m challenging myself to post a picture every day during the month of November (30 Days To Be Thankful For) and to add a caption as to why I am thankful. — Emily

Day 23

I am thankful that I have a sewing machine.  I only have to sew by hand if and when I want to.

I can’t imagine the endless hours my great grandmother spent in this sewing rocker, sewing with a needle and thread, because there was no other choice.

Did she sing?  Did she pray as she sewed away the days,

making dresses and shirts,

curtains and quilts?

I imagine her sitting by a window

until the shadows grew long

and the light too dim

for the needle and the tiny, measured stitches.

Did her family appreciate her sewing? Did they thank her?  I hope so.

Sewing by hand with a needle and thread reminds me of another seamstress from the past–this woman lived in New Testament times in the city of Joppa.  Her name was Tabitha  (“Dorcas” in Greek), and she was a disciple of Jesus Christ.   When she became sick and died, distraught believers brought Peter to their town to pray for her.

Peter went with them, and when he arrived he was taken upstairs to the room. All the widows stood around him, crying and showing him the robes and other clothing that Dorcas had made while she was still with them.

Peter sent them all out of the room; then he got down on his knees and prayed. Turning toward the dead woman, he said, “Tabitha, get up.” She opened her eyes, and seeing Peter she sat up.  Acts 9:39,40  NIV

There’s a woman whose sewing was appreciated!  What an impression she must have made on her community of believers, that they would dare ask for Peter to pray for her to come back from the dead.   This is how Dorcas was described:

she was always doing good and helping the poor.  Acts 9:36

Whether we sew by hand, as my great grandmother did, or with a sewing machine as I do, we can all follow Dorcas’ example of kindness and generosity.

See Thankful 30 page for every day’s entry.

* name changed

linking with Jennifer Dukes Lee